Win $25,000! Lipton Tea Video Contest

Healthy, Nutritional.  A Smart Tea that contributes to your longevity!

Lipton is promoting their new White Tea in ready-to-drink bottles and “To Go” packs.  To launch the new line of tea products and highlight that Lipton White Tea is made from young White Tea buds, they have launched the “Free Your Y” (your youth) campaign, and giving away $25,000 through the “Free Your Y” video contest, which will be active through May 17th.  The “Free Your Y” concept is aimed at encouraging people to tap into and express their inner youth, and the contest will ask people to share – via video – what they do to feel young and active.

Relax and Heighten Your Senses

The Kitchen smells of a bouquet of Papaya, Raspberries, Mango and Peaches.  Spring is in the air and the flavorful fruit smells that embrace me, don’t place me in an exotic country, but in my mid western home.  I have three different tea’s in front of me, which have tantalized my tongue and whose perfume has awakened my senses.  Lipton’s white tea has a taste that is light and mild. It is a refreshing way to enjoy a drink made from a combination of natural flavors, orange leaves, lemon grass, rose hips and licorice root.  They are packed with antioxidants to combat free radicals brought on by stress and a fiber reduced diet.  Dentist’s will make this their recommended tea of choice, as white tea’s staining properties are not as intense as other tea’s.

White Tea Facts

“White tea comes from is chiefly produced in Fujian Province in China with only limited or negligible production outside and more commonly just known as Yinzhen. Amongst white teas this is the most expensive variety and the most prized as only top buds are used to produce the tea. Most Yinzhen is made from the Da Bai or Large White tea tree race, however there are exceptions such as the big bud teas from Yunnan. Yinzhen tea is considered to be good for health. According to the researchers at the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, white tea may be used to fight cancer as well as acting as a deterrent.  The tea is nowadays mostly grown in the Fujian Province and there are generally two major producing counties, Zheng He and Fuding.”

  1. Lipton Tea Contest http://www.areyouyoungenough.com/

  2. http://youtube.com/results?search_query=lipton+tea&search_type=

  3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bai_Hao_Yinzhen_tea

By:  Kim Crocker

 

Beauty of Wine and Grape Juice

The presence and evidence of wine has been traced to the first and second millennium in China and from there, production of wine has been found to also exist during 5000-6000 BC in the Mid-East.  Wine evolved and technology began to advance during the Roman Empire as vineyards were cultivated and wine was stored and shipped in barrels.  Today, researchers provide us with the latest DNA results concerning the progress of the fruit and it’s spirit.

After much DNA research on grapes in the countries of Australia, France and Italy the studies have concluded that the next two-four years of wine production should be exceptional due to the optimal quality of the grape. “The cultivated heterozygous grape species, Vitis vinifera, has potential to become a model for fruit trees genetics after determining it’s genome sequencing”, according to the IASMA Research Center, San Michele all’Adige, Trento, Italy.   Agriculturalists will benefit from this research by quickly identifying and reducing the number of micro-organisms or parasites that are bringing harm to the plant, allowing the farmers to produce a more stable product.  The consumers can look forward to a higher quality wine, which will be more readily available.

Italian wines have consistently outpaced the French and Spanish wines over the past few years. Recent statistics released in a survey done in Los Angeles, CA have shown young Americans and women to perfer: Chianti Classico, Pinot Grigio (Alto Adige and Friuli), Barolo, Barbaresco and Brunello.  However, countries that are competing for a place in the local cantina are: Africa, Argentina and Portugual.  All who have found ways to provide a table wine that will elegantly enhance the simplest to priciest of dinners.

              Recent information in the media presents the  medicinal benefits of wine and juice content of fruit (i.e. Minute Maid), which comes from a chemical compound called Resveratrol (also found in peanuts, soy, cranberries, blueberries, and Itadori tea which maybe a good substitute for red wine) linking it to possible human longevity.  What is known about resveratrol is that it is produced in the skin of red/purple grapes and it’s main purpose is to operate as an anti-fungal agent or an anitbiotic.  It transfers to the juice of the fruit during crushing and fermentation. It’s typically found in red wines, but not white wines. 

Resveratrol is a phenolic compound that can be found where grapes grow in colder climates such as: Northern CA, MI, Canada and North European countries.  This is because rainfall is more and sunlight is less, hence the need for resveratrol to fight against developing fungi.

Medicinal resveratrol has been evident when 1 glass of wine is consumed daily, permitting the blood cells to smoothly pass each other instead of sticking to one another and creating potential blood clots that lead to heart disease. According to the AWRI (Australian Wine Research Institute), Resveratrol is being studied to determine it’s effect on damaged DNA and how it may act as an anti-cancer agent. “It appears related to anti-oxidation, where resveratrol may prevent and repair damage to DNA associated with the initiation of cancer, as well as acting to prevent the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, both at the gene and cell level.”

One cup serving of grapes yields: 57 calories, 6 grams of protein, 16 grams of carbohydrates, 2 mg of sodium, 1 gram of dietary fiber and vitamins A and C.

One glass of red wine yields: 4 oz 85 calories, sodium 6 mg, total carbohydrates 2 g.

by: Kimberly Crocker Scardicchio

Global Literature Research

  1. Perspectives in Nutrition, Sixth Edition Wardlow, Hampl, DiSilvestro
  2. Fundementals of Anatomy & Physiology 6th Edition, F. Martini
  3. pubmed.gov PLoS ONE. 2007 Dec 19;2(12):e1326.
  4. http://www.awri.com.au/industry_development/wine_and_health/faqs/
  5. http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/news/ng.asp?n=66631-grape-genome-wine
  6. http://194.177.100.52/comunicati/doc/2350-gbChiusuraVinitalyUs07.doc
  7. Pubmed Jennifer Burns, Takao Yokota, Hiroshi Ashihara, Michael E. J. Lean, and Alan Crozier*Plant Products and Human Nutrition Group, Division of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, IBLS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, U.K., Department of Human Nutrition, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Queen Elizabeth Building, Glasgow, G31 2ER, U.K., Department of Biosciences, Teikyo University, Utsunomiya 320-8551, Japan, and Metabolic Biology Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ochanomizu University, Otsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8610, Japan                 

Feed Your Libido…

The best sex begins with great nutrition, according to international studies. Research on Maca is praised for: energy, strength, stamina, libido and sexual function. Doctors and Dietitians confirm that making certain minerals, vitamins and herbs as a part of your daily diet could add some zing to your step and encourage the Health Benefits of Sex.

Almonds, Basil, Vanilla are said to have a perfumes that entice and stimulate attraction.

Celery contains androsterone, a male hormone.  When men eat the celery, pheromones are released through the sweat glands, which then stimulates the female attraction. 

Dietary Source:  Truffles have the same effect!

Figs are fantastic finger foods to be shared between lovers.  They are high in Potassium, fiber, calcium and are all around heart healthy.

Garlic when crushed, releases an active enzyme called allicin.   Allicinassists in: erections, raises HDL cholesterol and fights off a variety of diseases.  The lack of an erection is typically due to reduced amounts of Nitric Oxide in the body.  Allicin inhibits iNOS (induced nitric oxide synthase) and allows nitric oxide to work better in the body.  Those with ED, may be showing a more serious problem that should be brought to your doctor’s attention.  

Dietary Source: Garlic clove: minced  in a vinaigrette,  tossed with vegetables, or rubbed onto a warm slice of baguette bread.

Maca is an herb/ (root) found in Peru, that has been studied for it’s health benefits. Maca is praised for: energy, strength, stamina, libido and sexual function (proven to correct ED). Similar to graham flavor, maca can be added in cookies, cakes, blender drinks, chips, or taken in a capsule (500mg 3x’s/day).

Potassium assists in the body’s electrolyte balance by pushing out excess sodium from cells. It promotes nerve transmission, muscle and nerve functions and a strong healthy heart. 

Dietary Source: fruits, vegetables and legumes.

Vitamin B.

  • Increase mood stability
  • Creates energy reduces headaches, (B-2)
  • Increase blood circulation and is a vessel dilator (B-3).
  • Improves fertility and promotes heart health, (B-12)
  • Reduce depression and stress (B-5 and B-7),
  • Reduces weakness, numbness, tingling in arms, improves on diabetes (B-6)

Dietary Source:  Fortified Cereal, Garbanzo Beans, Chicken, Banana, liver, meat,  eggs, spinach, tomato, potatoes.

Vitamin E   is an important body lubricant for all organs and muscles. Additionally, it keeps skin, eyes and the heart healthy (increasing HDL cholesterol). 

Dietary Source: Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), Avocado, Almonds, Olives, Nuts, Seeds

 Zinc plays an important part in the desire to reproduce. Including, organ function, increase of sex hormones (estrogen, androgen’s, testosterone) and sperm production.  

Dietary Source: Oysters, beef, pork, dark meat poultry, lamb, peanuts, legumes, (meat /egg protein enhance zinc). 

Ideal Dinner for Two

Substitutions

  • Alcohol: Sparkling Water with lime slice and after dinner coffee (aphrodisiac)  
  • Vegans: Lobster or Tofu instead of steak
  • Shell Fish: Prosciutto, Olives, Almonds, Bruschetta

AMBIANCE

Cover table with a white table linen and lightly scatter rose petals. Or, be adventurous, use fresh basil leaves and halved almonds, instead.  Place a low lit vanilla candle in center of table.

APPETIZERS: 

  • Begin with 1 of Glass of wine (don’t over do it or the plan will fail!) 
  •  Oyster on half shell (or mussels and claims)
  • Olives.

SALAD: 

  • Red Leaf lettuce,
  • Arugula,
  • Figs chopped
  • Avocado slices
  • Raspberry vinaigrette

DINNER: 

  • 4 ounce fillet Mignon top off with  sauteed onions in EVOO,
  • Mashed Potatoes,
  • Steamed green beans and thinly sliced carrot sticks (or Asparagus). Toss with 1tbsp of EVOO, 1 minced garlic clove and chopped almonds.
  • May serve with multi-grain bread.

DESSERT: 

  • Chocolate cake (made with a small amount of Maca),
  • 1 glass Spumante
  • Strawberries to enhance flavor of wine.

By:  Kimberly Crocker

 Global Literature Research

  1. Lonnerdal B. Dietary factors influencing zinc absorption. J Nutr 2000; 130: 1378 S.

Weightloss! Easy Diet, Keep it Off!

It’s official, Spring and weightloss is putting us on the scale!  The quickest way to lose weight is to consume VEGETABLES, thereby, giving your body the opportunity to work at breaking down the soluble fiber and nutrients, while increasing the body’s metabolism.  

4 servings Fruits,

5-6 servings Vegetables,

2 servings of 3 oz meat, poultry or fish,

2 servings EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil),

4-5 servings your choice:  grains, pasta, rice or bread,

1-2 servings skim or 1% milk

Additional studies published in “The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition” put forth the results of a randomized study that compared a “reduced fat diet (RF)” and a “reduced fat intake and increased fruit and vegetable intake (RF+FV)”.  The study concluded that the greater weightloss after six months was sharply noticed with the combination diet of RF+FV, by 1/3 more total weightloss!  “Reducing dietary energy density, particularly by combining increased fruit and vegetable intakes with decreased fat intake, is an effective strategy for managing body weight while controlling hunger.”  Additionally, they noted that maintenance of the weightloss was also more prevalent, “The 2 strategies for reducing energy density that were tested in this trial were both effective in reducing body weight and maintaining weight loss without prescribing limits for energy or fat intake.”  Other studies, such as the Dash Diet, TLC Diet and Mediterranean Diet concur that combining the RF+FV is the healthiest and most effective way to go. Don’t forget to exercise 20 minutes a day to encourage increased weightloss.

Find your Dietary Meal Plan here:

TRY SOME “NEW TO YOU” FRUITS AND VEGETABLES 

FRUITS

Apricots: Dried, cooked, unsweetened 1/2 cup
Banana, raw 1 medium
Clementines, raw 2 small 
Grapefruit juice: Canned or frozen, unsweetened 3/4 cup
Fresh 3/4 cup Honeydew melon, Cantaloupe
Nectarine, raw 1 medium
Orange juice: 6 ounces
Peaches: Dried, cooked, unsweetened 1/2 cup
Pears: Dried, uncooked 1/2 cup, Pear Juice
Pomegranate, raw 1 medium
Prunes, dried, cooked, unsweetened 1/2 cup
Raspberries, Strawberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Gogi Berries,
Raisins, Craisins 1/4 cup
Watermelon, raw About 1 3/4 cups diced

Grilled Mango and Pineapple Sticks

VEGETABLES

Artichoke, globe (french), cooked 1 medium
Asparagus, cooked 1/2 cup, Raw 1 cup
Beans: Green, carrot sticks (steamed, add garlic, salt pepper, EVOO) 1/2 cup
Lentils (Lebanese or Jordanian style), cooked 1/2 cup
Cauliflower, cooked 1/2 cup, Raw 1 cup
Kale Chips (chopped, salt, pepper EVOO. 7 min. 400 bake oven) 1/2 cup
Corn, cooked 1/2 cup
Fennel cooked 1/2 cup, Raw 1cup
Grilled Portabella Mushrooms, 1/2 cup
Peas, green, cooked 1/2 cup, also frozen / thawed
Plantain, green or ripe, boiled 1 medium
Potato: Baked or boiled, with or w/o skin 1 medium
Pumpkin, cooked 1/2 cup
Rutabaga, cooked 1/2 cup
Spinach Salad with 4 olives 1/2 cup
Squash, winter, cooked, mashed 1/2 cup
Sweet-potato: Baked 1 medium or Boiled 1 medium
Cherry Tomatoes 4,Tomatoes: Raw 1 med., Tomato juice, canned 3/4 c.

 

By: Kimberly Crocker

Literature Research

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/558708

Health Benefits of Sex

The three fundamental needs of males and females are: Hunger, Thirst and Sex!  Most individuals would have no problem agreeing with that list.  The health benefits of sex are measured, however not commonly known.  What research tells us is everything we know about sex is even better than sex itself.  Let’s face it sex can be great and even fantastic when romance is added to it.   Some known benefits of sex are:

Helps you live longer.   It’s been researched to have a 50% reduction in mortality rate increasing life expectancy by 3-8 years.

Strengthens your heart.   Yes, sex can be considered as physical activity.  Having the same caloric burning effect in an hours time as regular Cardio. 

Reduces loneliness.       Closeness trumps loneliness!  Oxytocin, is a hormone responsible for child birth and lactation can also be found in men, stimulating smooth muscle contractions in the walls of the sperm ducts.  Oxytocin is a feel good hormone responsible for bonding and it rises in both genders during sexual arousal and peak at orgasm.

Strengthens bones, muscles and blood circulation.   Testosterone levels in both genders increase and improve on bones and muscles growth.  Blood circulation also benefits the brain, which increases the heart rate and deep breathing.

Got a headache? Engage in Sex.  Opioids have a similar effect on the body as the drugs Opium and Morphine.  When endorphins (one of the four classes of Opioids) increase they provide a natural tranquilizing response to pain reduction.

Fight depression, stress and overeating.   As neurotransmitters are properly excited (dopamine), or inhibited (serotonin and dopamine), depression, stress and overeating are reduced.  Dopamine helps to combat depression and create focus. While Serotonin regulates: mood stability, food cravings, pain, sleep cycle (Most are relaxed and sleepy after a nice romp between the sheets!) and increases the immune system.

Increases the body’s sense of smell. After a passion filled event, the hormone prolactin increases. Found in the olfactory bulb (located in the brain) where smell is formed, prolactin makes brain’s stem cells to grow new neurons 

Aphrodisiacs. Feed Your Libido!!!!!

Let’s make a complete circle and address some aphrodisiacs for the Thirst and Hunger drives.  After all, the Greeks, Romans and Aztecs used food and drink (dilated vessels increase blood flow) as a means of foreplay.

The Gourmet Sleuth suggests the following aphrodisiacs for the palete.

Quench your thirst with a glass of wine.  Drinking from the fruit of longevity is a great way to relax you, promote blood circulation and stimulate your senses.  BUT, more than two glasses of wine can ruin the mood and have a reverse affect. 

Grab the Champagne glasses!  According to the Australian Orchid Society, “Old Totonac lore says that Xanat, the young daughter of the Mexican fertility goddess, loved a Totonac youth. Unable to marry him due to her divine nature, she transformed herself into a vanilla plant that would provide pleasure and happiness.”  Fill tall Champagne glasses to the rim and add a vanilla bean for a heady, bubbly treat.

Coffee in small amounts dilates vessels, but too much will suppress the serotonin levels.

Food of Phallic Shape were eye candy for the ancients.  Asparagus, Avocado (growing in pairs on the tree they resemble male testicles,  Ahuacuatl), Banana, Carrot, Figs and oysters, both which represent the female genitalia.

Many other foods and herbs are known to inspire romance.    Almonds, Broccoli Rapini, Chocolate, Fennel, Pine Nuts, Pineapple, Strawberries and Raspberries

Herbs:  Sucking on Anise seeds, Arugula, Asafetida, Basil, Cilantro, Garlic (small clove crushed, add to vinaigrette for a salad), Ginger, Mustard (try on pork loin), Nutmeg, Truffles liquorice and honey

Prepare a low setting table with lit candles and a few pillows to relax on. Enjoy the ambiance and intimacy that sex brings, knowing that there are many health benefits that go beyond the pleasure of lovemaking.  

By: Kimberly Crocker

Literature Research

  1. Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology Sixth Edition, Frederic H. Martini
  2. Perspectives in Nutrition Sixth Edition, Wardlaw, Hampl, DiSilvestro
  3. http://www.neurogistics.com/TheScience/WhatareNeurotransmi09CE.asp
  4. http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2005/5/20/theTop10SecretHealthBenefitsOfSex
  5. http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/exercise/HQ01676/METHOD=print
  6. http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/aphrodis_foods.htm
  7. http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongrelationships/p/sex_longevity.htm